Was it petty that a part of me was happy Tyler’s whole world had crumbled after all he had done to me? Maybe, but I felt it anyway.
“He might be homeless now, too,” Jenna added.
“What?” My voice cracked on the question.
“He was selling your place to move in with us. That deal already went through, so I guess he’s shit out of luck.”
“I’d feel bad for him, but I don’t.”
Jenna let out a sharp laugh. “I don’t feel bad for him either.” She slid a small envelope across the table to me.
I looked at her curiously, opening it to reveal a check. “What’s this for?”
“My nest.”
“Jenna…”
“No, you have to take it. You did an amazing job, and I thought at the time you were doing them purely for the love of it. I had no idea Tyler wasn’t letting you earn a living from it. You should be. Maybe you don’t need it anymore, but it’ll help my guilt. A little bit, anyway.”
I did want to start my own business, and if Jenna’s guilty conscience wanted to fund that, I was going to let her. “Thank you.”
“You’re a way better person than I am.” She let out another sharp laugh. “If I were in your shoes I’d have probably tackled you and poured my coffee on your face. I appreciate your restraint.”
“I’m not letting either of you off the hook,” I said slowly, gathering my words. “Tyler pulled a lot of shit and you knowingly did something that would hurt me. The fact that fate intervened and gave me a scent-matched pack doesn’t take away from any of that. I hope this is a lesson for you.”
“It sure as hell is.” She dabbed her tears with one of the café napkins. “You’re doing okay now?”
“I am.”
“We should get together with the girls. What are?—”
“No,” I cut her off. “You proved we’re not friends, and while I appreciate your apology, you can’t ever walk back from what youdid. I agreed to meet you to hear you out, but this is where it has to end.”
She wilted again, nodding solemnly. “That’s fair.”
I felt a little guilty. Maybe she thought she could fix it all, but I couldn’t allow it. I was done letting people who would hurt me be in my life. Cutting someone out always left a little blood on both parties, but I had people who loved me, and I would heal. She would, too, but she would do it away from me.
The movers had finished, and our omega had gone into full nesting mode. With the walls painted before our arrival, and the furniture now in place, she could go to town with all the soft items.
RIP to our laundry. It wasn’t making it into the washing machine anytime soon. Maybe it was finally having a home to settle into that had her going full steam ahead on her nest. Ididn’t mind her recruiting our worn clothing if it soothed her instincts. I could buy more clothes.
Madison walked past me, half my closet in her arms.
Scratch that. Iwouldbuy more clothes. That was kind of a necessity at this point, but it was so fucking cute to see her like this. She’d been using up so much energy making nests for other people, and it was nice to see her devote that to herself.
“Want me to grab the rest?” I asked, meeting her upstairs where the elevator opened up.
Her cheeks flushed dark pink. “I’m sorry. I can’t stop.”
“I didn’t tell you to stop,” I pointed out, moving closer so I could take the burden from her arms and let her guide me. “Where am I putting these?”
She bustled ahead, carefully arranging the monstrously sized nest bed Alve had ordered for her. My clothes messed up the color scheme, but Madison didn’t seem bothered.
“I see you’ve raided a few closets besides mine.” I laughed, taking in the scattering of pack clothing tucked among the pillows.
“Ineedit.” She climbed straight in, gliding under one of the blanket layers and rising up with it draped over her head. “I think the baby is making me extra nesty.”
“The baby has to be listened to. Same cosmic rule as when a cat lays on you, just has to be obeyed.” I set the rest of my clothing pile on one of the chairs and leaned on the edge of the nest. “Want some company in there?” I couldn’t help smiling at the sheer volume of her purr in response to my question. “Clothed or naked?”
